- Joined
- Mar 5, 2016
- Messages
- 7,028
- Reaction score
- 1,711
So I've realized that Jon Jones *might* be able to fight overseas, either with or without the UFC, in the next year. Basically, Jon Jones isn't actually suspended right now. He's just lost his MMA license in the United States. Until he accepts a deal with USADA's arbiters, he's not officially suspended.
This of course opens the door for the UFC to have him fight (say vs Lesnar) overseas. Obviously the host country's athletic commissions would need to approve this. However, I'm sure the UFC can find some venues which wouldn't care about his test results & USA MMA license situation.
This is why I think his situation is dragging on so long -- because USADA wants to give him 4 years, and he'd rather not accept that. And the UFC would also be in hot water with USADA having Jones fight overseas despite his positive test results. Thus, I think both the Jon Jones camp and the UFC are putting pressure on USADA to reduce his suspension to 2 years, so he can fight Lesnar legitimately in the US.
But if USADA and/or the UFC don't play ball, Jon Jones could sue for release from his contract and fight in Japan. Depending on the judge he gets, some judges will say he has a right to earn a living. If the UFC is unable to offer him a fight overseas in Japan, then he has a right to be released from his contract and test the open market.
This of course opens the door for the UFC to have him fight (say vs Lesnar) overseas. Obviously the host country's athletic commissions would need to approve this. However, I'm sure the UFC can find some venues which wouldn't care about his test results & USA MMA license situation.
This is why I think his situation is dragging on so long -- because USADA wants to give him 4 years, and he'd rather not accept that. And the UFC would also be in hot water with USADA having Jones fight overseas despite his positive test results. Thus, I think both the Jon Jones camp and the UFC are putting pressure on USADA to reduce his suspension to 2 years, so he can fight Lesnar legitimately in the US.
But if USADA and/or the UFC don't play ball, Jon Jones could sue for release from his contract and fight in Japan. Depending on the judge he gets, some judges will say he has a right to earn a living. If the UFC is unable to offer him a fight overseas in Japan, then he has a right to be released from his contract and test the open market.